The Pizza Man

Known for Delicious Sauces, Fresh Local Toppings and its Uniquely “Artsy” Atmosphere.

BY ROBERTA CARROW JACKSON

WHEN PAUL AND EVELYN SCHREMS OPENED THE PIZZA MAN IN 1976, little did they know they would become the oldest dine-in restaurant on The Northshore.

It all began in 1964 when the chef-owner of Artista Pizza Kitchen in New Orleans passed his recipes on to Evelyn’s father, who promised never to open a restaurant in the city. Years later, Paul and Evelyn opened their own pizza parlor in the front of their home on Boston Street in Covington. In 1984, they moved the restaurant to its own space on Collins Blvd. where they are today. Their son Dustin runs things now, although Paul can still juggle dough balls and flip two at a time.

The most popular pizza may be The Board, which got its name from customers who would ask for “the whole board” of ingredients listed. A close second is the Wow!, so named for diners’ response to this seafood-and-artichoke combination. You can watch your pizza being tossed through picture windows to the kitchen, and the chefs like to have fun by tossing flour at the windows and drawing smiley faces on the glass.

When asked what’s in their delicious sauce, Paul answers, “A touch of joy.”

There's a beautiful, retro jukebox, framed jigsaw puzzles and the feature: dozens of 12” pizza boxes, illustrated by accomplished local artist Suzanne King. The decorated boxes began as illustrations of songs on the jukebox and eventually included holidays, community events, football seasons and historical events. Today, hundreds of boxes are rotated to match the season, but two stay up year-round: a drawing of Puff the Magic Dragon (the most popular song in the jukebox), and an American flag tribute to 9/11, the event that motivated Dustin to leave LSU and join the Marine Corps.

The Schrems have always had a policy of consistency, quality and family. For employees, it's family first, school second, and then pizza. Quality of life is paramount. Today, they have a server on staff whose mother, uncle and aunt were all part of the team during their school years.

THE PIZZA MAN OF COVINGTONOpen for dinner six days a week (closed Tuesdays) 1248 N Collins Blvd, Covington(985) 892-9874 | the-pizza-man.com